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"We welcome the fact that the Secretary of State has recognised the efforts made by the council in attempting to redevelop the Tropicana site and the process for site demolition will now begin."

But the leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Mike Bell, said: "Six Conservative councillors took the decision to demolish the Tropicana in the face of public opposition.

"One Conservative minister has rubber stamped their decision. This has got whitewash splashed all over it."

The group insist the decision to allow the Tropicana's demolition is not the end of the fight.

"We will support legal efforts by campaigners to block the demolition until alternative plans to save the Tropicana have been given a fair hearing and I for one will chain myself the bulldozers to try to prevent demolition," said Mr Bell.

"This decision also shows that Weston's Conservative MP - himself a minister in the government - has no influence at the top table. His words in the Secretary of State's ear obviously went unheeded."

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